LESSON #13: Getting a Vision for Your Business

By | July 16, 2008

Up until this point, we’ve essentially been covering the requirements and prerequisite knowledge necessary to increase your chances of building a successful online business.

Today marks a turning point.

It’s time to begin focusing on your personal situation, and to turn our attention to your future business…

(Watch this video…)

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Main points:

  • Without vision, your business probably won’t succeed.

  • I describe vision as being able to “see” a clear picture of your fulfilled goals in your mind.

  • It’s like the box cover of a difficult puzzle…

  • You must begin with the end in mind.

  • Almost every success in my life has come AFTER having a vision for it. (For example, when I won the state championship, and every time I launch a product)

  • The successful business owners that I’ve known ALL have vision.

  • It’s kind of like looking at the world from 30,000 feet. You see the big picture, and not the problems.

  • If you lose sight of your vision, you lose hope. And if you lose hope, it’s game over.

  • As we progress in the lessons, we’ll keep moving forward step by step, but if you don’t start by getting a vision, further efforts could be somewhat futile.

  • If you set your target too low, you may hit it, but there is almost no chance that you will exceed it. On the other hand, if you set your target too high, you may fail, but you will be further along than the “low” target. Therefore it’s better to set your vision higher.

  • One of the biggest things I see holding people back is a “victim mentality”.

  • “Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop this picture. Never think of yourself as failing; never doubt the reality of the mental image. That is most dangerous, for the mind always tries to complete what it pictures. So always picture ‘success’ no matter how badly things seem to be going at the moment.” – Norman Vincent Peale

  • Many of us have taken on a “just get by” mentality.

  • The size of your vision will dictate the size of the result.

  • YOU are valuable. Don’t sell yourself short.

  • Here’s my “disclaimer” that I forgot to include in the video…. “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Prov. 16:9)

    Action steps:

    I want you to take a moment to tell me your vision for your business. The vision can involve other areas of your life too, but since we’re working on building your business, it should be focused on your business.

    It’s important to write your vision down, so go ahead and post it in the comments below. This is YOUR vision, and there is NO wrong answer.

    Focus on the big picture. Don’t worry about the details of how you will get there. We’ll worry about that stuff when we learn about goal setting and business plans, and I’ll be talking about those things in the next lesson.

    As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below.

    Have a great day!

  • 1,837 thoughts on “LESSON #13: Getting a Vision for Your Business

    1. Keith Slater

      I want to have a successful internet marketing business, which gives me the time I want with my wife and family, whilst helping others to reach a better place in their own lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren. I really love helping others but must be able to help myself to achieve freedom from concern for the next pay cheque, knowing that to be rich is to have money left over each month having done everything that I wanted to do.
      The monetary amount will grow with success so no figures just yet.

      Reply
    2. Eileen

      My vision is to earn a six figure salary and to become debt free, travel and to help my family and friends that cannot afford to pay their medical bills. At least give away 10 per cent which would include giving some to my church and the needy. It will be a joy in my life if I can accomplish that one of these days. That is one of my daily pray. I would be one of the most happiest person on earth. This is approximately over 5 years that I was trying to be a successful internet marketer and I am so positive that it is around the corner.

      Reply
    3. moemoneymoe

      My Vision to empower 1,000,000 people to have a play in place to retire financial free. To be able to live life on their terms.

      Reply
    4. Tom

      Eric,
      My Goal/Vision is to be the Family Godfather. I know maybe a bad term. Let me explain. I want to be the one that the Family goes to when they are in need and desperate. Not only financially but emotionally. I am an individual that only needs a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food in my belly, not greedy. My family is what is the most important thing to me. Ok,I would like a white sandy beach for a front yard. That is something I have always dreamed of. I also want to pay for an annual Family Reunion that no one needs to have to put out any money to attend. Most of all I do not want my mother to have to worry about money. I would also love to visit Europe to explore where my Family came from. I have put over 20k to try and start an online business because I believe it can be done. So far nothing as far as income. I have asked many to give me a check list on what I need to do but nothing. All they have done so far is give me little info and taken my money. I hope that learning from you will help. I am a person that does what ever is needed to get the job done right the first time. I am off my soapbox. You asked I gave it to you. Lets see how things go.

      Reply
    5. Dale

      HI ERIC FIRST OFF THIS IS A GOD SEND, I have been looking for something that would help with extra income, I dabble in ebay and make the extra that I need to get by and that’s just about it. I’m 60 years old with no retirement and no savings and I though I was going to have to work until I died. then this came along, recommended by a newsletter that I get.You are one of a kind, and it is so refreshing to have someone like you that has done what it takes to make it, and am willing to teach it to others so they can make it as well. I want to be able to fire my boss in 1 year then focus on building this to the point where I can help my family help themselves by showing them what you are teaching me, I am a firm believer in passing it forward. there are a lot of good missions that I will help with money as well as with my time, the lord has gifted me with a lot of skills and I want to use them to help the ones that need them and I can see this as the way to achieve that,the money and the time to do all of the above. I have no monetary goals yet, I know that will come as I build this. I look forward to meeting you in the near future. DALE

      Reply
    6. Paul

      Hey Eric,

      My vision is to build a successful online business, to generate a minimum of $20-30 thousand per month in the first 90 days. To bring my wife home and spend more time with my family and to help others be successful. I am going to travel the world and take my kids to all the historical places like Israel where Jesus walked the earth. I want to be the best there is as a internet marketer and I have decided and I’m committed to doing what ever it takes to succeed in this industry. I believe with all my heart I will succeed without a doubt.

      Reply
    7. Samuel

      Our family vision for our internet marketing business is the following:
      First, we plan to break our debt bondage in our first year by paying our debts and paying ourselves $50K in salary. Secondly, we will become financially independent by creating an annuity that pays us at least $100K per year in salary infinitely. Our business will make at least $2M annually. We will do what it takes for the first six months to establish our business and afterwards limit our workload to a flexible 20 hour workweek. We will work hard six days and rest one.

      We plan to spend time being hands on in raising our two children and offer them opportunities for learning, respecting and appreciating diverse cultures and the arts. We will purchase the things we desired (e.g. home), take family vacations that include our extended family, and assist in taking care of our parents.

      We will begin our own independent ministry of spreading the Good News and being a blessing to others spiritually as well as financially.

      Reply
    8. Samuel

      Thanks alot for the opportunity to put things into perspective and redirect my energies and efforts into a bigger future.

      Reply
    9. Zane

      My vision is to be a successful online entrepreneur that is focused around my passion of writing books, lyrics, poetry, prayers, creating also audio-videos that give life to my God-given-gifts, and inspire others to tap into theirs. I will work from home and engage more in my family life, travel, exercise more, photography, and develop several other online entrepreneurial interests. I expect to be a multi-millionaire from online-mobi marketing pursuits featuring several web-based businesses and apps I develop…while heightening my relationship with God daily.

      Reply
    10. Angela

      My vision is to build a network of successful online businesses/social enterprises educating readers on environmental and health related issues. I envision capturing the attention of the nation to join the world and accelerate a new global paradigm shift as far as thinking holistically and respecting biodiversity (etc, etc). I envision the business making enough money, that I could travel, enjoy life and family and make strong investments in something like biomass energy and desalinization; becoming a billionaire that leaves a proud legacy.

      Reply
    11. Judy

      My vision is to have an online internet business that will provide added financial income since I am retired. I’d like to move to a better house where my office would be bigger and more organized, give to missions and assist friends who are out of work. I see myself having fun acquiring internet training and enhancing my computer skills learned over the last 40 years. While enjoying retirement and working from home, I want to make a difference in the Christian life, contribute financially to Christian work and my church, take care of my family, and enjoy life. I envision myself being debt free and able to give back within a year.

      Reply
    12. Tom F

      I am retired and I found myself needing some extra challenges. I have always set goals by setting easy, more difficult and most difficult goals. My easy goal would be to be making $1,000 per month, which should be attainable rather quickly. My more difficult goal would be to make $5,000 per month which is attainable but it is a long way off. My ultimate goal is to be making $10,000 per month, which would allow me to spend more time and money on the most important things in my life: faith, family and friends.

      Reply
    13. Wayne D

      Hello Eric,
      Thank you for the easy to follow lessons. I have listened to many gurus and so far you have actually revealed more than any of them. I am not insulting you and calling you a guru. I know you don’t like that label. They like to tease us without really revealing anything. You, on the other hand explain in words that cause vision and clarity. Anyway, I am looking forward to completing these lessons and with your help, building a successful Internet business.
      I currently live in Florida, USA. I run a small construction company and am also a partner of a restaurant. My fiancé lives in China. She works very hard running a large company and seams to never have any time off. We each fill our time with our jobs. I travel to China a couple times each year to be with her during some of the Chinese holidays. This is the only time we can spend together.
      I am very driven to create an Internet business that brings me the income I need so she doesn’t need to work so hard. I plan to explore the depths of China and to chronicle my adventures on a site that promotes the wonders hidden in a land of enchantment. The monetization of the site, through affiliating with travel agencies, insurance agencies and hotels will bring in more than enough money to pay for an unlimited amount of adventures exploring new places with my beautiful lady.
      The income from the site will harvest the ability to not only allow us to share the wonders of the world with everyone interested but also contribute to the education and eradication of literacy. Too many people are limited in life because they cannot read or write. I am also passionate about housing. Everyone that shows a willingness to put forth effort to add value to the world deserves good housing. My site will create enough wealth to also allow me to contribute to rebuilding or restoring neglected homes.
      The power of the mind is absolutely the most powerful thing in existence. What the mind can conceive, man can achieve. I have proven this to both myself and others around me. Create your vision in your mind. Know it in your heart. Feel it in your soul. The Universe can’t help but giving you what you desire. Abandon every thought of lack, otherwise lack is all you will receive. Your vision is already accomplished so give thanks for it. This is all you need to acquire unfathomable success.

      Reply
    14. Diane

      Hi Eric,
      My Vision: To have a successful online business and stick to my vision, goals and dreams and work towards my vision daily…with God first, family next.

      Reply
    15. Jennefer

      Now that I’m retired, my vision to to start an on-line business. I want to help small businesses (mom & pop)get the on-line presence that is needed in todays world. My goal is not necessarily to make a million dollars, but anything over an extra 100 grand would be great. I would then teach this to not only my adult children, but to other people who have the same desire as I have. I would take half my proceeds and donate them to the Wounded Warriors Foundation (a charity that is dear to my heart.

      Reply
    16. GMJ

      Vision for Online Internet Marketing Businesses
      -Develop products/use systems that will generate perpetual multiple
      income streams on auto-pilot (Be blessed to be a blessing)
      -Pay every debt and bill in full
      -Fulfill vision in full-time ministry (establish vision of the kingdom)
      -Live the abundant life in true prosperity – spirit, soul, body and physical
      -Get married
      -Become a savvy investor
      -Plan and eave inheritance for offspring and legacy for generations to come

      Reply
    17. GMJ

      Vision for Online Internet Marketing Businesses
      -Develop products/use systems that will generate perpetual multiple income streams on auto-pilot (Be blessed to be a blessing)
      -Pay every debt and bill in full
      -Fulfill vision in full-time ministry (establish vision of the kingdom)
      -Live the abundant life in true prosperity – spirit, soul, body and physical
      -Get married
      -Become a savvy investor
      -Plan and eave inheritance for offspring and legacy for generations to come

      Reply
    18. Ron Vaive

      I would like to make enough money to pay off my debts and then have enough money to sustain myself and retire. $200,000/year.

      Reply
    19. why

      Hi Eric I am here because I am over whelmed with info and I don’t know where to start…I would like to make $1000 a month and then bring that up to $5000 a month where do you suggest I start
      thanks

      y

      Reply
    20. Neil Clapp

      Thanks, Eric, for this incredible opportunity and all of your generous help. The following affirmation I wrote about a year after the death of my wife on 2008. I did not want to live without her, and prayed the Lord would take me up to be with Him and her. Knowing the power of the prayers of a Believer, I expected my prayer to be answered, and not to live past that first year. When I kept waking up in the same bed in 2009, I realized I had to go on without her, and wrote this affirmation. I now repeat it aloud multiple times every day.

      I am in constant communion with my Lord
      discerning and carrying out His will
      with strong faith in all things working for the best for all (including me) who love the Lord.

      As my Lord has changed me I am successful, confident and prosperous; hence all of my bills and debts are paid as I earn and am paid $1,000 each and every day.

      My innate creativity has enabled me to attract the contacts, people and relationships that have speeded development and gotten into widespread commercial use my inventions EMW, AEF, MEP and related line of in-pipe, leak-free fluid pumps as I have received in return recognition and financial rewards commensurate with great inventions.

      Reply
    21. Aline

      My vision is to have a successful online business centered around my passion for arts, mainly handmade paintings. I will blend it with technology.
      I will also be able to help people with foreign language studies, and continue my studies of landscape architecture at university.
      I will work from home, but no more than 40 hours per week, and my business will bring in $1 million per year. I will give back to the community and be more active in the church.
      I will travel abroad several times each year. While travelling I’ll be inspired with new ideas to help people.
      I’ll eventually find a boyfriend who shares similar values as me. He will become my husband and we will have a large happy family.

      Reply
    22. Aline

      I’d also like to thank you for all the lessons and for this opportunity of organizing my thoughts!
      Kind regards,
      Aline

      Reply
    23. Don Sell

      My Vision is to have a successful online business centered around my passion for leisure time activities. I want to achieve a 20 hour work week and spend more time with my family and friends. I will be debt free and have a sustainable income in the high 6 figure range. I will provide employment opportunities to others. I will be a patron of the arts and a mentor to aspiring artists. I will be able to take off and go fishing or take my wife on a romantic get away without worrying about the business. I will take my family and my extended family on vacations every year. I will have a home on a lake with a large workshop near by.

      Reply
    24. Brian B.

      MY VISION

      Start and operate an online business selling WordPress templates, plugins, and educational material.

      I will earn more than enough money to quit my day job within a year from this date 6-18-13, eliminate our debt, finish renovating our home and build my garage. We will be able to take our Disney trip without any financial worries (the kids deserve it). I want to buy the old church for my wives bakery business. I think it would be a great location and think she would love all the possibilities it could open up for her. I want to help our families out and give back to my local community. Most of all I want to be a good role model to my children and others.

      Reply
    25. ETZER BREDY

      THANK’ SO MUCH ERICK FOR YOUR FREE HELP
      MY VISION IS to be a successful online MARKETEUR, I DON’T KNOW HOW LONG THA’T GOING TO TAKE BUT WITH YOU BESIDE OF ME ERICK I WILL FOCUSED TO WHICH THAT GOAL. I HAVE TO HAVE SUCCESS TO INSPIRE OTHERS AND CHANGE MY MY FINANCIAL LIFE.
      I WANT TO WORK FROM HOME AND ENGAGE MORE IN MY FAMILLY. I EXPERT TO BE FREE TO BE ABLE TO HELP POR PEOPLE IN MY COUNTRY.

      Reply
    26. LaDorris Saverson

      Hi Eric:
      I have always wanted a business on the Internet. My goal is to become a successful affiliate marketer. Within the first 12 mos I expect to be making $2500 and within 24 mos $5000. My vision is to become debt free first and then fulfill some of my other dreams such as buying another home for my husband and me, paying to have several wells dug in Africa to help those people in Africa to have clean water. Thank you Eric for you are the best that I have seen on the internet in explaining what it take to have a business on the internet.

      Reply
    27. Jocelyne

      Hi Eric,

      Thanks a lot for your lessons. I am french speaking, so please don’t be offended by my english.
      My vision is to be a successful business woman. To become expert in internet marketing so that i can show my community members how to succeed in this area.
      I want to work from home and earn enough money to provide the needs of my family. To assure school fees for my kid and allow him to attend international colleges if he wants to. I would like to spend more time with family (have holidays and travel the places we’ve never been yet), help my parents who are retirerd now : offer them easier days, pay them things they could not offer themselves because they had to sustain a 8 kids family. Now I think it’s time to bless them back with things they gave away for us.
      This vision includes also being able to give my time to people in need (like orphans and poor people in my country).
      On top of all this, I really want to prepare my 18 age old son for a better futur. I want to help him manage his own life by being able to produce richies and not wait after someone else (an umployer) to decide for him how much he will handle every month and then to be limited.
      I want to learn how to build a bigger vision so i can teach it to my son.

      Reply
    28. Don Karp

      I live in a world of connection where everyone is connected to nature, to each other, and to the disparate parts of themselves.

      Reply
    29. Jeremiah

      My vision is that at the end of this course, there will Eric earned at least $ 200 for each of the participants of this course, equivalent to 2 million dollars, if we consider that at least 10,000 people came to the last chapter. My conviction is that 90% of the information is true and reliable, but is not applicable to all the people who follow this course. My testimony is that I paid over $ 200 in materials that Eric sells, many old and obsolete files that has been sold in the last 12 years.

      Reply
    30. Benn

      Hello Eric, and hello to all fellow newbies.
      I would like to commend the folk that have posted their visions here and say “Go for it”. You can do it!
      My vision is to create miltiple streams of passive income that will provide me the freedom to follow my dreams in life as well as be able to service all debt and at the same time assist others, more needy than I,by donating 10% of my income to family, friends and charity.
      This means I have set a goal of achieving a net incme==ome of $10,000/mth from my Internet Businesses.
      God Bless you all.

      Reply
    31. Jacqueline

      My vision is to generate about 3 million dollars in the next 2 years. I am working on a major project that will cost me around $500,000.

      Reply
    32. Jacqueline

      Thank you for these lessons. I have gotten a tremendous amount of information, and instruction.

      Reply
    33. John Williams

      My vision is to become a very successful Internet Marketer. I will help as many people as possible to obtain success as an Internet Marketer. I will show people how to succeed as Internet Marketers without having to invest a bunch of money. I will offer them FREE and inexpensive methods to have a successful Internet Marketing Business. I will quit my current $75K job in the next six months and work from home full time. I will spend more time with my wife traveling and seeing all my grand kids on a regular basis. I will always give God the GLORY for my success. I want to create a Christian group of leaders online that live for righteousness that will spread throughout the internet. Be Blessed!

      Reply
    34. Micah

      Hello Why,

      We recommend that you hang in there with Eric’s free video lessons at http://www.ericstips.com/. Eric’s lessons have helped many people to go from beginners, to successful online business owners!

      The lessons are presented in a sequence that starts at the very beginning, where the very first things you need to learn about online marketing are shown in the first few lessons!

      If you’re interested to go even more in-depth with marketing, you might also want to take part in Eric’s coaching club:
      http://www.realguysrealmoney.com

      Eric, Paul, and Jeff are expert marketers. They will be a great resource for you!

      Reply
    35. Ignacio

      My vision is to make my online business as big as possible to achieve freedom for my personal life and to be able to support the things and people I believe in.

      Best regards,:):)

      Reply
    36. Stephen R.

      My vision is to be successful at internet marketing so I can provide for my wife in the way that she deserves, provide things for my children and grandchildren and do special things for my Mom and Dad while they are still here on this earth. I always thought that I would make a good deacon at the church and it sure would be nice if I could be a successful one as well. I would like to show others how to be successful but I have to learn how to do it myself first. God has given me the opportunity to cross paths with you Eric. Now it’s time for me to make the most of it. Thank you.

      Reply
    37. Karen G

      Hi Eric

      God willing, my passion and my dream is to have a successful online business so I can leave my other job as a Resident Attendant. I have osteoarthritis and my job requires alot of walking, lifting and physical duties that ae very painful. I had a hip replacement when I was thirty and now I have to have my knees done. For the last 25 years, I wanted to “snow bird”, live six months her in Canada and six months in a warm climate when we have winter in Canada. My ultimate online business would be helping people reach their desires and dreams. Finally I would love to give back to my parents who have always been there for me through thick and thin, donate to animal shelters and stop animal abuse and have my two girls take over my online business so they can fullfill their dreams.

      Reply
    38. Julie Pyle

      My Vision is divided between personal and ministry ends.
      Personal – I would like to have the finances and freedom to retire early enough to be able to enjoy some of my husband’s retirement time.
      Ministry – I would like to develop a culture cushion for missionaries returning from the field.

      Reply
    39. Michael

      My Business vision:

      I will focus on offering to my customers good technology information, tips, and tangible products that they can use and benefit from. I have set an initial goal of 30,000 dollars to make in my fist year, and a extended goal to be at 100,000 by the end of the second year and have left my full time job. I also will help my wife become successful in selling for beautiful arts and crafts online for her own financial security.

      Reply
    40. Joshua McNeil

      My desire is to work from home, Create a successful online internet marketing business. My main focus is on self-help, and I know that this topic is very vast. I truly believe that this topic is one of the most vital aspects in life for anyone. I believe that if I can help people, this is the best way. My desire is to create 6,000 after taxes takehome within 30 days; after this, I desire to move up to 10,000 a month; within, 90 days. Within a year I expect to be earning 20,000 a month after taxes. I expect to continually increase my net worth as time continues on. I know that anything is possible and earning a million within a year has been done before so my desire is to earn 1.5 million within a year and a half. That is January 2015.

      Reply
    41. Maia

      My vision is to be financially free & sell products that other people want & need

      Reply
    42. steven reh

      To Build a large internet marketing business marketing digital products through product creation and affiliate marketing.To help and serve others by providing exceptional value by way of products and services to show others who are trapped how to gain back time and fredom in their lives so as to experience true and genuine time and financial freedom with no restrictions.By giving others more of what they want I can have more of what i want . To systemise this to run on autopilot by scaling up my business without much input from me by way of outsourcing.
      To serve the Lord with all my heart with this business and give back to the world through serving and to give a minimum of 10 percent to my local church that my business produces.

      Reply
    43. Al Ruschel

      It’s been a long time since I have been passionate about anything! The only thing I can truly be passionate about is my two grandchildren. I must be successful enough with my internet business that their parents will realize there is a better way than trading days for dollars. They have watched me struggle and do not believe online success is possible. Also I have no choice since I can no longer do the job I have spent my whole life doing. Social Security sucks. The wolf is at the door!

      I must be passionate about showing that the nay sayers are wrong. I will be successful!

      Reply
    44. Charles Fountain

      To build a business with a nett income of 20,000,00 a month. Target 6 grandchildren with uni fees cover. Seek to maintain an orphans home and sancturary in Zimbabwe up to junior school.
      +- 100 youngsters. Progress the target on nett turnover and cover children in Zim for fresh water.Eric: You have great faith. Good hunting.

      Reply
    45. Jim

      I have a musical technique for self/harmonization and a related pedagogy I have been developing for over 30 years.Over the last 10 years I have been marketing my method without the internet with some success. I have avoided the virtual market because I have been overwhelmed by understanding it all and because my business is so small I don’t have the capital to outsource. I am following your course to the letter Eric and already have changed my attitude as to being able to do this. As I now am 63 I feel today is a good time to start by writing my first “blog”. My vision is a very original one and it is not appropriate to divulge details at this moment.For now I will say that there is a small but intense flame of premonition that is with me: that at least 100,000 people will be using this method of self harmonization within the next 5 years.THANK YOU ERIC!!

      Reply
    46. Ashley Jade

      I vision myself selling paintings for insane amounts of money, being famous and get off government assistance! I became ill and things had to go. I grieved them and moved on. My plan was to get a Masters and teach college art.
      That had to go when I collapsed and so grieved that and decided to concentrate on just painting. I will succeed! I know it!

      Reply
    47. Kenny

      Hello

      My vision is to go back to college, and pay my house off.

      Reply
    48. Ava Ferguson

      Hi Eric,
      To me a vision is a beacon that takes me into the big picture and guides me into the future. It makes me see where I am and what I’m doing tomorrow and the days and times after that. I’m aware of my surroundings, see where I stand and I can clearly visualize where I want to be.

      Reply

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